Third Sunday in Lent (Violet), rcl yr b, Sunday, March 3rd, 2024
EXODUS 20:1-17; PSALM 19; 1 CORINTHIANS 1:18-25; JOHN 2:13-22

But he was speaking of the temple of his body

So, when exactly does the clearing of the temple take place? Because it seems we have a disagreement at the highest of levels. Matthew’s Gospel has it near the end of Jesus’s public ministry of teaching. Mark’s Gospel has it near the end of Jesus’s public ministry of teaching. And Luke’s Gospel has it near the end of Jesus’s public ministry of teaching.

But John’s Gospel? Here it is, right at the beginning. Chapter 2! Jesus hasn’t done much more than call disciples and turn water into wine at the Wedding at Cana. No small thing. But there’s a whole lot more yet to come.

So which is it? When does the clearing of the temple take place? Near the end of Jesus’s ministry, or at the beginning of it?

There is certainly value in historic investigations into Scripture and Jesus’s life. But in reading Scripture as Scripture, we end up having to contend with the fact  that while the gospel writers do write and share with us the shape of Jesus’s life, and do intend to share the reality of a real historical person, historical accuracy is not always what they are most interested in.

On the big things—the ministry of healing, the calling of disciples, the passion and the empty tomb—on these things the Gospels are consistent. But in reading the Bible as Scripture, what we have to contend with is that the Gospel writers are doing theology too, and that this theology is centred on the reality of the resurrection. As John’s Gospel puts it today: “After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.”

There is a way, here, in which the resurrection has transformed the minds of the disciples. And they began to remember things according to their newly founded relation with God through Jesus the resurrected one.

This idea is not that foreign to us though. Sometimes we hear some surprising news about someone and then we remember things they said a bit differently. It’s what make good TV shows worth rewatching, and good books worth rereading. I just rewatched True Detective season 1; the first time through, you find out who the big bad is late in the season. But the second time through, early appearances of the big bad become much more menacing, because now you know what he is really up to. And this is because we see the story differently when we know how it ends. Films like Memento are all about the way we see things differently once we know about some other thing that happens later.

For the disciples this is a real-life thing. They know how it ends, with the crucifixion and the resurrection; and now they remember some strange stuff that Jesus says about the Temple, and they remember it differently. In fact it seems that the first time they heard it they thought what Jesus said was so odd and weird that they just dismissed it. But now, in the light of the resurrection, they know what Jesus meant when he says “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The first time they heard it it was bewildering. Three days? A temple takes decades to complete. “But he was speaking of the temple of his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this.”

What John’s Gospel wants to help us see by putting Jesus’s cleansing of the temple, and his words about how he was speaking of himself as the temple, what John’s Gospel wants us to see is that all the rest of what Jesus does in the Gospel—the healings, the hanging out around the dinner table, the teachings, all this should be seen in terms of Jesus as the new temple.

Jewish worship would begin to centre around the synagogue, but the temple still looms large in Jewish religious imagination. John’s Gospel takes a different tack, and Christian faith becomes less about the Jerusalem temple and more about dwelling with Jesus, the Jesus who is the temple and the centre of our faith, our prayers, and our worship. Christian worship, Christian prayer, and the Christian life all now centres around Jesus and our dwelling with him.

Places of worship—buildings and such—are still important, as the Christian community would quickly come to understand. But the word made flesh, the God who dwells with us in the person of Jesus, the Jesus who invites us to dwell with him, this Jesus becomes far more central to the Christian faith than any temple.

And our church buildings are a reflection of this. This sanctuary is built so that we may come together around an altar on which is prepared the bread and wine that is Jesus himself, his own flesh and blood, shared with us that we might come closer to him. We gather now around the resurrected one; and our buildings serve this as a primary purpose.

It is likely that we should see the clearing of the temple in similar terms. When Jesus drives out of the temple the moneychangers, and the people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, when Jesus pours out the coins of the moneychangers and overturns their tables, this is probably not about selling things after church in the Upper Parish Hall.(Which is good news for anyone who likes cookies.)

David Ford puts it this way: “The twentieth century … open[ed] the way for the global dominance of money-centred capitalism. How can God be worshiped and loved with all our heart, mind, soul and strength in the face of the attraction and power of money? How can imaginations and desires shaped by advertising, economic incentives and imperatives, and fear of need be freed to delight in and serve God and other people?Can zeal for God and the worship of God compete for attention and time with the attractions of earning money and consuming?”

What is at stake here when Jesus drives out the moneychangers from the temple is who it is we serve. If Jesus is the temple that is destroyed, and after three days is raised up, then the clearing of the temple is a way of Jesus underlining his own centrality to our lives. It is an admonition to place Jesus at the centre of our lives, rather than the pursuit of money, or the consumption of goods. Jesus is claiming a place far more central to our lives than making the money so we can buy the things.

This does still have something to do with our places of worship though. I think we can take our partnership with the Working Centre as a good example. They are, technically, a renter. But when we add up the work done by the wardens, and our property people like Dave Sapelak, and our caterer Angus Sheach (to name a few), when we add up all we do to help make this work, it really is a partnership of a sort.

And why would we put in this work, why would we have St. John’s Kitchen come and take up space with us? Do we do it just for the rental income? The income is good, don’t get me wrong; but if our only motivation in welcoming people into our building is money—then we are at risk of having Jesus coming in and reminding us who it is we serve and who it is that is central to the life if this building. But if we see inviting rental partners into this space as a way of serving Jesus, a way of coming closer to Jesus, as a way of inviting others into the love of Jesus, then we are on much safer ground.

If Jesus is our temple, and if Jesus is the one with whom we would dwell and share our life, and if our buildings are meant for this mutual indwelling of us with Jesus and Jesus with us, then this place already isn’t actually ours. It already belongs to Jesus. And if this is the case, we don’t welcome people into our space. We don’t even welcome people into a space that belongs to Jesus. Jesus welcomes all of us—me, Mindy and Bette, all the way to Lincoln and newest newcomer, Jesus is welcoming all of us into a space that is already his.

Jesus is the host of hosts, the one who welcomes each of us into the temple that is Jesus himself, that each of us might dwell more closely with him.

Baptismal Service

Creed

Celebrant
Do you believe in God the Father?

People
I believe in God,
The Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

Celebrant
Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?

People
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again
to judge the living and the dead.

Celebrant
Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?

People
I believe in God the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.

Covenant

Celebrant
Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?

People 
I will, with God’ s help.

Celebrant
Will you persevere in resisting evil and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?

People
I will, with God’ s help.

Celebrant
Will you proclaim by word and example the good news of God in Christ?

People
I will, with God’ s help.

Celebrant
Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbour as yourself?

People 
I will, with God’ s help.

Celebrant
Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?

People
I will, with God’ s help.

Celebrant
Will you strive to safeguard the integrity of God’s creation, and respect, sustain and renew the life of the Earth?

People
I will, with God’s help.

Angus Sinclair

Angus Sinclair was appointed Director of Music of St. John the Evangelist on February 1, 2023. Having graduated in 1981 (Honours B.Mus.) in organ performance from Wilfrid Laurier University, he went on to distinguish himself as a church musician, recitalist and accompanist touring in both Canada and the UK. For over 40 years Angus has served parishes and congregations throughout Southwestern Ontario as director of music. He experiences his present appointment to St. John’s as a welcome homecoming, both spiritually and musically.

At St. John’s, Angus is able to indulge his love for Anglican liturgy and the Anglican choral tradition by directing our dedicated choir in preparing service music and masterworks from St. John’s extensive choral library. Angus’s own repertoire of organ music allows him to enrich worship at St. John’s with countless voluntaries spanning centuries of the church music tradition. Angus has also composed music in several different genres, and is an accomplished improviser.

 As our parish musician, he provides both support and leadership so that a variety of parish programs can find musical expression and attract participation. When our handbell choir is in season, he is one of our ringers. At parish dinners, he provides popular piano music for the guests to dine by. For both worship services and concerts, he will rehearse and accompany vocal and instrumental soloists from our congregation on piano, organ, or even accordion.

Audiences throughout Canada recognize Angus as the accompanist for The Three Cantors whose concerts and CDs raised over $1 million between 1997 to 2016 for the Huron Hunger Fund/Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund, now named Alongside Hope. For their outstanding service to the Church, Angus and The Three Cantors (William Cliff, David Pickett, and Peter Wall) each received Honorary Senior Fellowships from Renison College (UW) and Honorary Doctor of Divinity (DD) degrees from Huron University College (Western University).

Beyond St. John’s, Angus frequently accompanies mezzo-soprano Autumn Debassige in concert, and on the fourth Sunday of each month (September through June), he serves as the duty organist at Evensong for the Choir of St. George’s Anglican Church, London, Andrew Keegan Mackriell, Conductor. Two or three times a year, Angus is the assisting organist for concerts given by the Parry Sound Choral Collective, William McArton, Conductor.

In collaboration with our rector, Angus is responsible for the design of worship at St. John’s. His duties include programming music, service playing for regular liturgies and occasional services, and directing our choir, in addition to working with a variety of soloists, instrumentalists and ensembles.)

The Rev. André Lavergne CWA, Assistant Priest

As an Honorary Assistant, André preaches occasionally at worship and assists in various ministries as opportunities arise. André maintains a Rota of lay people to read and pray at worship, together with a schedule of people to write the Prayers of the People for Sundays and occasional services.

Ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) in 1980, André has served Lutheran parishes in Baden, Mannheim and New Hamburg. He has served as national Worship officer for the ELCIC and, for the last decade of his working career, served as Ecumenical and Interfaith officer while also staffing the ELCIC’s Faith Order and Doctrine Committee.

In 2006, André received the Eastern Synod’s Leadership Award for Exemplary Service and in 2016 he was named a Companion of the Worship Arts (CWA).

Since 2014, André and his wife, Barbara, have resided in Waterloo where they tend a garden and welcome friends and family.

The Rev. Dr. Eileen Scully, Assistant Priest

Eileen Scully was baptized at St. John the Evangelist, confirmed, sang in the choir as an adolescent, and was married here. She then went off into some ecumenical wanderings and theological studies before returning to the parish recently as an honorary assistant. She has a PhD in Systematic Theology from St. Michael’s College, Toronto and taught for a time. 

Eileen works for the General Synod, the national body of The Anglican Church of Canada, as Director of Faith, Worship, and Ministry, keeping office space at St John’s for that work during the week. She works principally in liturgical development, helping to create resources for worship, including new liturgical texts, and connects with Anglicans across the country in networks to support ministry and Christian formation. 

Eileen was ordained deacon in 2009 and priested in 2010.

The Rev. Scott McLeod

Scott is the Chaplain at Renison College at the University of Waterloo. He was ordained and started working in parish ministry in the Anglican Church in 2005 on the West Coast of Canada in Victoria, BC, in the Diocese of BC. After completing a curacy and serving in a few parishes as rector, part of a team ministry and as associate at the Cathedral, Scott and his family moved to Niagara. He continued in parish ministry and served as associate priest for seven years at St. George’s in St. Catharines, before moving to Kitchener and starting at Renison in February 2022.

Scott studied Theology at the Vancouver School of Theology in Vancouver, BC, and before that did his undergraduate studies in Toronto at UofT completing a Bachelor of Music, Performance degree specializing in Jazz music.

The Ven. Ken Cardwell, Assistant Priest

As an Honorary Assistant Ken assists with worship services and preaches on occasion.

Ken is a graduate of Hamilton Teachers’ College, McMaster University, and Huron College. Ken retired in 2003 after 34 years as a parish priest in the Dioceses of Niagara, Keewatin and Moosonee. He also served as Archdeacon of Brock. For ten years after retirement Ken served in a number of Interim Ministry positions for parishes in transition. Ken and his wife Sarah moved to Kitchener in 2013.

The Reverend James Brown, Assistant Priest

As an Honorary Assistant, James preaches and presides occasionally at worship, and chairs the Stewardship Working Group. During the six months of Preston’s sabbatical in 2024, he served as Deputy Rector.

Ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada in 1991, James served Lutheran parishes in Stratford and Waterloo until his retirement in 2015. As part of a summer exchange with the Rev. Glenn Chestnutt, he was licensed by the West Paisley Presbytery and the Church of Scotland to serve the congregation of St. John’s, Gourock, UK from 2010-2016. In 2019-2020, he served as Interim Priest-in-Charge of St. Columba Anglican Church, Waterloo.

A lifelong, self-confessed ecumaniac, James is Chair of the Steering Committee of Christians Together Waterloo Region (successor organization to the Kitchener-Waterloo Council of Churches). For 27 years, he served as an on-call chaplain at Grand River Hospital, now named Waterloo Regional Health Network @ Midtown.

James’ first career was also in the Church. For 25 years he was organist or director of music for churches in London, St. Thomas, Brantford, and Kitchener.

James and his wife, Paula, live in Baden, Ontario.

Autumn Debassige, Parish Administrator

Autumn Debassige has served as St. John’s Parish Administrator since 2023, bringing years of service-oriented and management experience to this important role. Aside from her administrative duties for us, Autumn is a professional mezzo-soprano soloist and alto chorister. Visit her website to learn more!)

Angus Sinclair, Director of Music

Angus Sinclair was appointed Director of Music of St. John the Evangelist on February 1, 2023. Having graduated in 1981 (Honours B.Mus.) in organ performance from Wilfrid Laurier University, he went on to distinguish himself as a church musician, recitalist and accompanist touring in both Canada and the UK. For over 40 years Angus has served parishes and congregations throughout Southwestern Ontario as director of music. He experiences his present appointment to St. John’s as a welcome homecoming, both spiritually and musically.

At St. John’s, Angus is able to indulge his love for Anglican liturgy and the Anglican choral tradition by directing our dedicated choir in preparing service music and masterworks from St. John’s extensive choral library. Angus’s own repertoire of organ music allows him to enrich worship at St. John’s with countless voluntaries spanning centuries of the church music tradition. Angus has also composed music in several different genres, and is an accomplished improviser.

As our parish musician, he provides both support and leadership so that a variety of parish programs can find musical expression and attract participation. When our handbell choir is in season, he is one of our ringers. At parish dinners, he provides popular piano music for the guests to dine by. For both worship services and concerts, he will rehearse and accompany vocal and instrumental soloists from our congregation on piano, organ, or even accordion.

Audiences throughout Canada recognize Angus as the accompanist for The Three Cantors whose concerts and CDs raised over $1 million between 1997 to 2016 for the Huron Hunger Fund/Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund, now named Alongside Hope. For their outstanding service to the Church, Angus and The Three Cantors (William Cliff, David Pickett, and Peter Wall) each received Honorary Senior Fellowships from Renison College (UW) and Honorary Doctor of Divinity (DD) degrees from Huron University College (Western University).

Beyond St. John’s, Angus frequently accompanies mezzo-soprano Autumn Debassige in concert, and on the fourth Sunday of each month (September through June), he serves as the duty organist at Evensong for the Choir of St. George’s Anglican Church, London, Andrew Keegan Mackriell, Conductor. Two or three times a year, Angus is the assisting organist for concerts given by the Parry Sound Choral Collective, William McArton, Conductor.

In collaboration with our rector, Angus is responsible for the design of worship at St. John’s. His duties include programming music, service playing for regular liturgies and occasional services, and directing our choir, in addition to working with a variety of soloists, instrumentalists and ensembles.

The Rev. Canon Preston Parsons, PhD, Rector

After working in youth and camping ministry in Winnipeg and Northwestern Ontario, Preston began his training for the priesthood in Berkeley California in 2001. Following his ordinations in 2004 and 2005, Preston served as a hospital chaplain in Sacramento, California; not long after, he was appointed to St. Mary Magdalene, a multi-cultural parish in the south end of Winnipeg.

In 2012, Preston moved to England, where he pursued a PhD in Christian Theology at the University of Cambridge, while serving as Priest Vicar at St. John’s College, and Director of Studies at Westminster College.

Preston moved to Waterloo in 2017 with his wife, Karen Sunabacka, who took a position as Associate Professor of Music at Conrad Grebel University College.